TAKAHASHI Marina unloaded 16 points for University of Tsukuba as the Japanese team defeated Team Sparkle, 25-8, 25-12, 25-20, in the Philippine Super Liga Super Cup at The Arena in San Juan on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old middle blocker scattered her attacks from 10 spikes, five blocks and one service ace for University of Tsukuba in the match that took an hour and 11 minutes to play.
“We are lucky, today is [our] first day and I think the Team Sparkle are good but [they] don’t have enough combination so we are lucky today,” said University of Tsukuba coach Nakanishi Yasumi.
Team Sparkle refused to yield in the third set, leading, 7-4, before University of Tsukuba tied the contest 13-13.
“We tried to play our best and we can play very hard,” said team captain Yokota Miho.
“First set is our regular members and in the second and third sets is our bench members. In this tournament all the members are going to help,” said Nakanishi.
Isogai Miku finished with nine points, while Yamashiro Ami and Kurata Syuri chipped in seven markers apiece and Hayakawa Kyomi tallied six points.
University of Tsukuba will face Team Shine on Thursday before it goes up against the national team on Friday.
Carmina Aganon made six points for Team Sparkle, while Dimdim Pacres, who only had two points in the match, provided the energy in the third set.
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